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Sweater sets, or “twinsets” as I’m used to calling them, are a tricky item. On the one hand they can look awfully dated and frumpy. I can’t tell you how many sweater sets have not made the cut when I review closets with clients. But on the other hand, they can look fresh, new, fun and retro.

Thinking about this interesting wardrobe item and why it works in some ways and not others, I have identified the design features that make it look updated and current to my eye.

Add “Now” with Pattern, Texture and Colourblocking

While there are exceptions, it’s solid sweater sets that tend to look dated and frumpy. But pop them into a pattern, textured lace, or a graphic colourblocked design, and you add in the now-factor. I fell in love with a colourblocked twin set last year and have worn it over and over again. The interesting colour combination was one of the reasons it felt fashionable instead of frumpy.

Keep the Fit Sleek and Cheeky or Oversized

The cropped and formfitting sweater set is cheeky and works really well, like the Ann Taylor example below in the geometric pattern. A little fluidity in the torso can work, as shown on the J.Crew and St. John examples, but the sleeves are very sleek. Wear these sets too long and too roomy in the sleeves in a tailored fit and you’re back to frumpy. Alternatively, make the fit oversized and tunic length like the earthy Hobbs example.

Perhaps sweater sets will always look frumpy to your eye, and I understand that perception because as I said earlier, it’s a tricky piece. But I’m a yay vote on the new sweater set when the fit and outfit execution is modern and current. What’s your verdict?

Great advice! I love the green and black one here. It does look very modern and looks like it might be worn with slouchy pants. I would never say never, but while I appreciate the look in general I don’t love these for me.

Love twinsets- but i have wondered about still wearing them now at age 50+, where preppy quickly becomes frumpy! Thank you for providing some guidelines…..I love how you always inject a little edge into your wardrobe suggestions.
I have already purchased the Ann Taylor cardigan you have selected (wore it with white jeans and a navy tank last night) but chickened out in the try-on room from even attempting the matching tank- so many polka dots! Perhaps I need to reconsider! The JCrew set is perfect. It looks beautiful in the grey/pinky combination too, but I will wear the navy and green a lot more often.

I too like the green and black set. I think it’s the mixed media that does it for me. And I have a home-made set similar to this started. But to be honest, it’ll be a miracle if it gets finished – there’s too many other things ahead of it

Let’s just say that twin sets are perfect winter wear for menopausal women . I have a printed set in silk, but don’t wear the pieces together. It’s pretty fluid and fitted but may be that frumpy length of not short and cheeky but not tunic length either. The long Hobbs example above is my favorite for the color blocking and soft neutrals, but with long sleeves over long sleeves, it would be for the woman who needs lots of warmth.

I’m a yay vote for the one’s shown here, especially that green and blue striped one. I like clothing items that layer because it creates interest in the outfit. This is a refreshing change from a more classic version.

Totally understand how tempting it is to have a set, but have often found them too frumpy on me, especially since the hint of retro irony has become obsolete as I age. I like the indigo and green set, and the camel/cream shape in particular. You have given me ways to consider twinsets, when they have been too easy to rule out. Thanks>

I love the idea of a set, but as you so precisely has pointed out here, Angie, it is all about finding the right one. I particularly like the two first ones – both are fab! Thanks for inspiring me again.

Of course as a total preppy I’ve always been a fan so much so that I have acquired a few vintage sweater chains (but somehow they always seem a little too costumey for work). I’m excited to add a modern one this year and the jcrew example is exactly what I have in mind. I had weeded out most of my matching sets except one really great super soft cashmere one from BR that I’ve worn with a button down underneath for the last couple of years. Thanks for helping me figure out the bottoms situations to explore.

I love the J. Crew version. The vertical stripes would visually lengthen the line and help to reduce the frump factor. I also think the fabric — a soft or silky knit — can make a big difference with these.

I used to rely on cardigans too much. Now I only own one (a light summer topper). Maybe it’s time to add a set like this to my casual work-at-home capsule.

Pre YLF I used to wear a few sweater sets and now I cringe when I think about it – they were definitely in the frumpy camp. These ones above are definitely more modern and slick looking. I can see combining one of these with my BF Camerons and some booties.

I like the idea of twinsets and had some years ago. The fact that you can wear the two pieces together or by themselves is especially appealing.
I might consider adding the polka dot one to my winter wardrobe.

Every one of the sets posted are fantastic, and I do like your suggestions for how to wear them, but I’ll pass. Why? Well, they’re not at all frumpy, but they’d be frumpy as soon as I put them on. I’d frumpify them. It’s the same with cardigans. I’m afraid I have too much preppy in my style and not enough sass to wear these in the right way.

Sometimes fighting against the preppy feels like fighting green eyes or curly hair.

Joining the preppy camp as a fan but your updated examples are not at all frumpy. Tres chic! Love the first three. I don’t do oversized easily so will leave that for others although it looks so cozy and perfect for Fall temperatures.

I’m still not a fan. They’re just TOO matchy for me, I think. It’s not just the color/pattern matching that bugs me, it’s the texture. I feel like one sweater per outfit is enough, and it should be paired with a different fabric, like woven suiting, silk blouse, leather, etc.

Oh I completely agree Angie about the frump factor with twinsets. I love a good twinset myself I have one that immediately comes to mind but some where in the fitting room when I was in the process of buying it I realized that I needed to size down on the cardigans. My previous size choice made my twinsets look like a box on me (they’ve since been banished from my wardrobe).
But I love your suggestions on how to update the complete look. I have been twinsets as separates to avoid the frump factor and that’s been my only solution until now.

I love these Angie, and I love the idea of twinsets in general, but they are SO hard to get right. These are some great guidelines and the examples shown really help to drive your point home. The sleeve fit is so important, and I can see that now.

I love cardigans, wear them constantly but not the twin set look. In fact, I never buy the matching under piece, the vest. But I wear mine mostly with a cami and try to make one of them patterned or textured, I guess my way of modernizing. I am a curvy hourglass and find they look nice on me.

After ridding my closet of every last twinset, it’s hard for me to like them again without feeling frumpy in them. Keeping them modern is a must, and I do really like the examples you feature. If I found one that met all of the elements you present, them maybe I could be persuaded.

I’m on the fence for now. I would have to try a twinset on to see. One thing I know is that they’re fab for airline travel. It dresses up a pair of sleek jeans , and when you need to take the cardi off (because it feels like there is no air in the cabin, and you’re wondering how you’re breathing,) you still look polished.

Hello everyone!
A few years back I LOVED twinsets, they were indeed a staple for me. About 3 years ago, I noticed that all of my twinsets had become closet orphans, so I started to purge them. To date, I still vote ney- although I have seen very cute, updated ones in store- like the ones listed above. For some reason, I just don’t feel like they suit my style quota or needs anymore.

I like them, a few years ago I had 3, each had there own unique style. The one I wore the most was silk/cashmere, soft green, sleeveless shell and grandpa cardi. I wore that green one to death and just recently got rid of it. I mourn it’s loss. I thrifted it and it was like new. I would buy a set again if the right one came along. Are they trying to make a come back?

I like this look on others but it’s not for me at least right now. I used to wear this type of look to work all the time… I’m over cardis at the moment and find them difficult to fit both my figure and style. Love the green and black one though!

For me, the bigger problem is not so much that they can look frumpy — it’s more that they are simply do not delight my eye. I don’t actually hate them, and I agree that you can make them look pretty fresh and current with the right fit/pattern, but in a world of awesome things to wear, twinsets are pretty low on the list. Cardigans? Yes. Sleeveless shell? Absolutely. But I prefer when they don’t match. Also, twinsets usually seem to involve a cardigan with a round neck, and I far prefer a v-neck shape with the round neck of the shell showing underneath. The round-necked cardigan always looks too “prim and proper” to my eye, no matter how you slice and dice it.

It does look like twinsets are making a bit of a comeback. It’s just about the only way I’ll wear a cardigan actually, because I am so not a cardigan girl. I like the matchy-matchy retro integrity of twinsets – and the extra warmth.

I like the last set from Hobbs UK. Probably because I like the open, longer cardigan trend, and have been loving it past it’s expiration date. Speaking of which, I am still seeing quite a lot of these from classic minimalist brands like Vince. Free People is maximal and Boho but I’ve also seen quite a few cardigans from them in their Fall collection, although theirs seem to have buttons this season.

Now those are stylish! I can’t really get behind the twin-set, either. I have a J Crew Jackie cardi, and I always think to myself, “Should I get the matching shell?” But maybe the answer is, get the matching shell in a contrasting color and go for the colorblock look. Would that work, too, Angie?

I would love to try a modernized version of this and would probably add a statement necklace and skinny jeans tucked into boots…I have a lovely mint set that I haven’t been able to part with and may attempt this and will defintely ask for opinions as to whether it works…

Those examples are definitely refreshing! I am so NOT a twinset kind of girl; actually, I’m not a huge fan of basic cardigans either. But these remind me of a kind of “travel suit”, like the ladies who travelled during the “Pan Am” travel era. A flight was an event and they truly dressed for it, unlike the ‘comfy as possible in sweats and flip flops’ approach most take today. That being said, I feel that a twinset may feel too stifiling. Would these tops work with a blazer or cropped jacket instead?

I love cardigans and retro looks but have a major aversion to the preppy. The idea of sets with mismatched patterns is kind of appealing but these examples don’t do much for me. I do like the one you were wearing, though.

Oh Gosh, agree that some can be frumpy, but the ones you showed – anything but! Perfect for the office too! I’m really a fan of the Chanel-ese jacket types and sets where the outer sweater is a bit more substantial knit.

None of my sweater sets have survived my recent purges. I just can’t get them to defrump. Perhaps it is my figure, perhaps my overall style. Or perhaps the twinsets themselves. I have also steered away from cardis lately, even a gorgeous mint one with polka dots as I just cannot defrump them without a lot of work.

I must admit that I kind of like the green and black one – but in general, just the thought of twin sweater sets gives me the hives! However, I used to get hives over white jeans as well, and then I found “my” pair – and the hives miraculously cleared up!

Well as the cardigan queen, I had my share of twinsets a number of years ago. I think I may still have a few stashed away, and you have me thinking about dragging them out and experimenting with the sewing machine. Maybe I could embellish and alter a twinset to be cheeky and current looking. Hmmm. On second thought, there are a lot of other sewing projects I’d probably embark on before this one. Onto the growing project list go the twinsets!

I love twinsets but it’s hard to find the right kind. IMHO, the typical crew neckline usually adds frump. I prefer V-necks or scoopnecks. The side seams are easy to take in for a better fit, but I don’t care for the extra work to fix the neckline.

Look at those sleek sleeves! So, that’s what’s doing it to modernize things with sweater sets. I think your paragraph about wearing twinsets with on trend bottoms is what turns wearing this modern classic into something fun! I really like the first one and noticed it, in the lighter color, when I was leafing through the J. Crew catalog.

Yes, a fabulous figure can look frumpy and even thick in certain clothing styles! Acessories may distract but why hide an ugly look when you can buy a better base to build an outfit? The verdict on these sets is too boxy: would hide womanly curves. The look works best on small busts and disguises thicker waists. These pictured in particular just look masculine, not necessarily modern. Never suggest anything to be paired with a harem pant: it is a novelty pulled off by such a small percentage of the population (like those who would look good even while wearing a bubble wrap jumpsuit) that its application and appeal to the majority of women is null and void. Slim sleeved cardigans are not a new thing by any means. (My own high school closet was full of them.) As long as your arms are not disproportionately slender compared to your torso, a slim sleeve looks best on everybody. Nobody should wear bulky clothing excepting those in the Alaskan wilderness. Shop happy. Confidence wears better than any trend.